Method of packaging milk



1944- J. M. HOTH'ERSALL 2,355,073

METHOD OF PACKAGING MILK Original Filed June 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 8, 1944.

J. M. HOTHERSALL 2,355,073

METHOD OF PACKAGING MILK Original Filed June 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 INVENTOR WW BY ATT oRNEYs Patented Aug. 8, 1944 METHOD OF PACKAGING ltflLK John M. Hothersall, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Original application June 25. 1995. Serial No. 28,369. Divided and this application February 21, 1939, Serial No. 257.764

The present invention relates to a method of packaging milk in single service fibre containers and has particular reference to packaging steps which include the steps of filling milk within previously conditioned hermetically sealed and internally sterile empty fibre containers or cans without fear of contamination, which method essentially includes the easy opening of such hermetically sealed sanitary cans, the filling of the same with milk and the final reclosing and sealing of the milk within the cans.

' This is a division of my invention originally filed as Serial Number 28,369, on June 25, 1935, now Patent 2,174,514, issued October 3, 1939, for Method of packaging milk. This division has been required bythe Examiner.

Fibre containers or cans that are suitable for 'use in such a packaging method are disclosed in my two patents, both for Containers, Numbers I 2,089,958 and 2,085,979, issued respectively on August 17, 1937, and July 6, 1937, and while other types of containers may be employed the container which is disclosed in Patent Number 2,085,- 979 just mentioned is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in connection with themstant case.

The present invention contemplates the packaging or filling of an internally sterile or germ free hermetically sealed fibre container or can filled, after which the filled can is immediately closed and is then ready for delivery to the ultimate consumer.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a method for filling with milk a previously conditioned sterile hermetically sealed fi-bre container adapted for easy opening, by breaking the hermetic seal and opening the container only just enough for filling, of filling with milk, closing the filled container and then sealing the same so that the unit package which the ultimate consumer receives is an individual single service package of milk produced under sanitary conditions.

A further object of the invention is the provi- 2 claims. ('Cl. 226-) sion of such a method wherein a sealed empty fibre container or can of the" character described is opened by reheating of the liquid proof coating material such as paraifin as is necessary to provide for, a sufficient entrance of the milk into the can.

Another object is the provision of a method of few and simple steps for opening the described empty container and filling the same with milk and for sealing the filled cans, all of these steps being directed to providing a sterile and germfree unit package. g

' Still anotherobiect is the provision of a method of packaging milk which utilizes'a fibre container or can having a closing part which is closed during an hermetic sealing period and which is opened when the milk is introduced into the can, and again reclosed on the milk, such closure part being preferably-finally shaped to more securely lock and provide an improved liquid seal for the can. I

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, disclosesv a preferred embodiment thereof.

The carrying out of the method steps of the instant invention may be performed by relatively simple machinery in the dairy where a sealed emptycan is opened, filled and reclosed and the necessary elements in one complete organization of such machines is more or less diagrammati-, cally shown in the accompanying drawings, together with a detailed showing of the can used, this disclosure affording a better and more complete understanding of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a. perspective view of a completely formed fibre container or can, this view showing the closure element in raised position and the can open;

Fig. 2 is aschematic longitudinal sectional view taken through the can dipping, draining and drying machine units, and showing the passage of opened cans into and through a sterilizing and liquid proofing bath and also showing the draining of the can after its immersion and the drying of the open can and the final closing of the empty can;v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional detail taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 and showing a part of the conveying device in its association with an open can;

Fig. 4 is a schematic longitudinal fragmentary section illustrating the can as it is immersed into the sterilizing liquid the section lines H in Fig. 3 indicating the position of the sectional after it has passed through the sterilizing bath,

one corner of the can being broken awayto expose a section of its interior;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the can illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. '1 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view of a part of the .sealed container illustrat-.

ing graphically the application of a heating plate to the closing element of the can, section ing chamber and is caused to flow inside of the can and the paraflln begins to set as it nears the end of its passage in this sterile atmosphere. Adjacent the discharge end of the drying chamber the cans move under an endless, constantly traveling top belt which presses down and closes each can by bending its closing element into closing position. The final setting of the paraffin at about this time completely and hermetically seals the empty can. a

This can is absolutely sterile and remains so as long as it is sealed. In this condition it may lines of Fig. 6 indicating generally .th

plane of the section as to the can; a

Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary sectional view of the can illustrating graphically the first step in the opening of the sealed can;

Fig. 9 is a similar view illustrating the holding of the can opened and'showing the introduction of milkinto the can; and

Fig. 10 is a similar view of the can after it has been filled and showing the reshaping of the closure element which follows the completion of the filling step.

A fiber container suitable for passage through the various elements eflecting the method of packaging milk under sanitary conditions may first be manufactured in any suitable manner to proyide as one form the can illustrated in g. 1, this manufacture of the can formin no part ofthe present invention. Such cans are first introduced into the inclined entrance end of scan runway. this sectionof the runway extending into and beneath the surface of a bath of melted parailin or other suitable liquid proofing material used for application to the can parts. This liquid is maintained at a sumciently high temperature to effect complete sterilization of the container as it passes through the bath. a

The cans: are moved in processional order down the entrance incline and thence through a twisting 'or turning section of the runway which is in the bath. This can movement is eii'ected by means of a conveyor chain which is provided with suitable flights that engage back of the cans and push them along.

These conveyor flights also hold the cans open so that as they are immersed below the surface of the liquid each can is filled with the heated paraffin and is also turned over and over during its passage along its twisted path within the bath. The paraflin' which flows inside of the can is thus distributed onto every part of its interior surface. The outside surfaces of the can are also completely covered by the heated paraflln. I l

After passing through the twisted section of the runway, the cans are further conveyed up an inclined discharge section of the runway and in this latter passage the open end of the can is disposed at the bottom so that a substantial part or surplusof the paraflln drains out-leaving a uniform relatively thin coating of paraflin on all of the can surfaces, both inside and out.

At the upper end of theinclined discharge chute 'the can iscaused to turn end'over end and falls in an upright position on a conveyor belt which operates in connection with a drying chamber through which the can is then conveyed; Sterile air is introduced into the dry- 7 be handled and shipped as desired, the can now presenting the appearance shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. It is desirable that the can be cooled before this final closing to prevent de-' velopment of a vacuum which will take place if sealed too hot. Proper control of the temperature of the sterile air used in the drying chamber brings the cans to the desired temperature and prevents creation of a vacuum which also prevents any resulting training of the can seams.

When at the dairy it is desirous of filling the can with milk foridistribution to the ultimate consumer, the can is opened and filled. In order v to eflect'an easy opening, the closing element of the can may be subjected to a heated plate or its equivalent so that the paraffin surrounding thesealed closure element is sufficiently softened to allow breaking of the seal. The opening of the can and the breaking of the seal may be done mechanically by engaging its closure element with a sucker head mounted to move up and down relative to the top of the can so that the closure element is lifted and the opening of the can exposed.

The milk is introduced through this opening while the closing element is held in open position after which the closing element may be returned to position within the opening.

A final sealing of the filled can to provide a liquid tight seal is preferably made by a reshaping of the closure element. One form of reshaping operation is disclosed in Fig. 10 wherein the walls of the closure element which engage the A walls of the opening "of the can are shown as being pressed outwardly or expanded. This produces an effective liquid tight closure. This completes the steps of the instant invention, a sealed and filled can unit being the result of the various operations. Such cans may then be delivered to the ultimate consumer as in the usual house to house delivery.

ment H preferably also made of fibre is secured to the top l2 in any suitable manner as by staples l5. This elementcomprises a drawn plug section I6, which is adapted to enter into and completely fill the opening l3 when the closure element is in a closing position, and a lifting tab IT. The plug section it is on one side of the staple connection l5 and the lifting tab IT on the other.

This container II in this stage of its manufacture is fully formed, glued, etc., but its fibre walls are untreated. Prior to the first step of the instant invention which comprises coating the walls and sterilizing, the closure element I4 is bent into the form illustrated in Fig. 1 and the Opening I3 is exposed.

In Fig. 2 there is disclosed a part of a sterilizing apparatus which comprises a tank 2i adapted to contain meltedparaflln H or other suitable liquid proofing material with which the walls of; the can are coated. The tank contents may be suitably heated as by gas jets 23 disposed below the bottom of the tank and supplied withgas as by a gas line 24. g

An inclined chute 3| which is the first. and entrance section of a can runway, is extended from a position above the top rim of the bath down into the tank adjacent its bottom. This chute section merges into a twisting or turning section ofthe runway and comprises curved or spirally arranged guide rails 32. This turning" guide section 32 is of proper lengthand shapeto cause. a complete rotation of the can on its longi paraflln insures complete'sterilizing of the can at this time. a

. The can still being propelled byits associated chain flight thence passes into and moves up the inclined runways 33. During the elevation of' the can along these runways its opening l3 is disposed downwardly or at. the lowest point tudinal axis during the time that the can is beneath the surface of the paraflin 22 within the tank 2 I, this section of the passageway being d sposed below the level of the paraflin within the tank.

The guide sections 32 at thedischarge side of k the tank merge into the discharge section of the of the can so that the surplus paraflln which has filled the can flows backinto the tank.

This draining of the parailln is by way of the trough 34 so that the excess paraflln is returned to the tank without appreciable'loss above the amount remaining upon the surfaces of the can. The up r part of the rails 33 are turned down at 5| andas the can upon reaching this part of the incline is still propelled by the'moving chain flight 45 it turns end over end and is uprighted as it passes from the turned back runway ends.

A housing 52 is suitably disposed adjacent the discharge end of the runway and is formed with an opening 53 through which the cans pass as they drop from the discharge guides 5|. A. belt 54 is located adjacent the bottom of the housing and operates over pulleys and 55 and .the cans fall in upright position on this belt. Pulleys 55 is mounted upon a shaft 51 which is arranged inside of the housing the chamber 3 within the housing being designated by the numeral 58. The pulley 56 is suitably carried on through the chute 3|,the twisted guide rail sections 32 and the runways 33 by the action of a conveyor chain 35., This conveyor comprises an endless chain and operates over sprockets 36, 31, 38 and 39 which are suitably mounted upon shafts 4] held or journaled in suitable frame parts. One of these may constitute a drive shaft for catsing continuous travel of the chain.

Chain 35, carries a series ofspaced fligh s 45 which are connected with certain links of the chain and which provide for engagement with a correspondingnumber of cans to effect their passage through the apparatus.

. Each flight 45 (Figs. 3 and 4) is preferably composed of an arm section 46 and a ring section 41, the ring being at the free end of the flight. When a section 'of the .chain comes into position for passage aboveandparallel to the chute rails 3|, the flight or flights associated with such chain section moves down against the top ll of the can i i asthe latter rests upon the chute rails. The ring section 41 lies against the top of the can and the opening of the ring retains the plug section I 6 of the closure element as well as the lifting tab I! in raised position (see Fig. 3). This holds the discharge opening I 3 of the can free and exposed. While held in thisopen position the moving flight 45 forces the can down beneath th'e surface of the paraflin bath (as illustrated in Fig. 4) whereupon the liquid pours or flows into the I can.

.As the can still propelled by its flight 45 passes into the twisted guide sections'32,. the inclined rails pressing against the rectangular walls of the can cause it to rotate on its longitudinal-axis, the hole of the ring section 41 permitting free rotation. Accordingly the cans move forward beneath the surface of the paraffin within the tank and at the same time turn over, the can opening l3 allowing for free circulation of the liquid. The turning of the can prevents the a shaft 5| and pulley and shaft may be located just outside of a chamber opening 52 formed in the wall of the housing. This openi ,P rmits passage of the belt 54 and also cans carried thereby to the outside. i

Provision is made for the introduction of sterile air into the chamber as and mum purpose an airsupply pipe 65 passes through the top of the housing 52 and spreads out into a hood section "inside of the housing. 'I'his'v hood is disposed over the to of the cans as they are conveyed through the chamber onthe upper run of the belt 54. The sterile air forced into the chamber prevents any contamination of the cans at this stage of their treatment it being recalled that the 'cans are still in open position. This airis preferably of a temperature to cool the cans so that the paraflin is brought to a point where it is nearly solidified as it approaches the discharge opening 5i of the housing.

The closure element for each can. is brought down orhinged into closed position on the can top just at this time of setting of theparaflln. This is accomplished by any suitable closure device such as. a belt H which operates over suitable pulleys I2 and is located within the chamber 58 above and adjacent the discharge opening 52. As a can ll passes under the belt Hits plug section l5 and its lifting tab l1, are

both pressed down into engagement with'the top 12 ofthecan.

Since this is done, at the time that the I sets, the container is thereupon hermetically sealed and its interior is closed against the en-. trance of germs. The set paramn holdsthe, closure parts in close engagement and the -hermetically sealed and sterile empty container then passes through the opening 62 and off of the belt 54' to any suitable place of deposit.

forming of any air pockets and the liquid paraf- The use of sterile air passing into the chain-- ber 58 which is at a temperature to bring the heated can to the point where its paraflln sets, is utilized to prevent closing of the can when'it is too 'hot. Such closure could be effected and the can hermetically sealed while hot but as the end of the boss.

and the result is a sealed empty container which may be shipped to great distances and handled or stored over any reasonable length of time without fear of contamination. 1

Figure 5 illustrates the sealed sterile parafiin coated container II, the exterior. andinterior surfaces of which are completely covered with a coating of paraifin designated generally by the numeral 15 (Fig. 7) When this can is ready for filling the closure element 14 is placed under a heated plate 18 or other form of warming element and the parafiln outlining the closure element is slightly softened by the heat. The can is then ready to be opened.

Lifting of the plug section It of the closure element Il may be accomplished in any suitable manner, Figure 8 showing one form of mechanical device for doing this. A rubber sucker cup 18 is fastened toa boss I9 (see also Fig. 9) by means of a hollow screw 8| threadedly engaged in the Theboss I9 is formed on the face of a disc 82 which is suitably associated with an oscillating shaft 83 by means of which the disc may be turned back and forth and the suction cup 18 moved from a vertical position into the can closure plug engaging position shown in Fig. 8.

The central opening of the hollow screw 8| is preferablyaligned with a port 85 which is formed in "the boss I9 and this port may be connected with a passageway 86 leading to a suction device associated with the oscillating disc 82. When' the suction cup 18 engages inside of the plug section it of the closure member a suction is drawn on the inside of the cup and as the disc 82 into the vertical or open position shown in Fig. 9.

- shown in Fig. 10. With the closure element l4 in I done by sectional beads 92 formed on the expandcan closing position an expanding device indicated generally by the numeral 8| is inserted within'the plug section and is then expanded so that the .plug wall is forced out. This may be ing'elements.

The side wall of the plug section I6 is thus reshaped or reformed, an enlarged annular bead 93 being produced in the plug'wall. This bead 1 is located directly beneath the top l2 of the can and tightly engages the walls of the opening I! providing a liquid closure and sealing the milk within the can.

This completes the operations incident to producing a unit package about which the present invention is chiefly concerned. The filled can sealed as shown is in condition to be delivered to the ultimate consumer and insures receipt by the ultimate consumer of a sanitary sterile filled unit package.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in' the steps of the .process described and their order of accomplishment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the process hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment While the suction device still holds the closure member in open position, the milk is introduced into the can through the opening l3 as illustrated in Fig. 9. For this purpose a filling tube 81 may be introduced into the can through the opening and milk indicated generally by the numeral 88 is caused to fiow into the can by passage through the tube and by discharge through an opening 89 cut in the side wall of the tube. Such'a tube may be so formed adjacent its lower end as to therof.

I claim: V

1. In a method of packaging beverages under sanitary conditions in hermetically sealed empty -fibre containers, each provided with a dispensing opening having a hingedly secured closure element thereon, which containers have been previously exteriorly and interiorly coated and rendered liquid and germ proof 'as well as internally sterile by previous treatments: the steps of breaking the hermetic seal of a said container and hinging to open position said closure element, filling the container with a beverage through said dispensing opening, closing said dispensing opening by hinging said closure element into closed position, and finally shaping said closure element to seal and lock thesame in place on said filled container.

2. The method of packaging beverages in hermetically sealed coated and liquid proof sanitary empty fibre containers, comprising breaking the hermetic seal of-a said container and hinging to open position said closure element, filling the container with a beverage through .said dispensing opening, closing said dispensing opening by hinging said closure element into closed position, and finally expanding said closure element beneath said dispensing opening to seal and lock the closure element in place on said filled container.

JOHN M. HO IHERSAIL. 

